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NBA spokesman Tim Frank says U.S. federal mediator George Cohen plans to attend the scheduled labour negotiations Saturday between the owners and the players' union.

Cohen presided over a marathon three-day session of negotiations late last month to try to help bring the two sides closer together in what has become an increasingly bitter battle.

A group of players has discussed disbanding the union, and ownership also is said to be divided as they try to avoid losing the 2011-12 season. The first month of games already has been cancelled, including what was supposed to be opening night on Tuesday.